Rocker/recliner chair

ABSTRACT

A rocker/recliner chair inclusive of a rocker base, a chassis rockably connected to the base, a body-supporting unit (i.e. a seat and a back) connected to the chassis, a leg rest, and mechanism interconnecting the body-supporting unit and leg rest and chassis for coordinated rocking and reclining motions of the body-supporting unit and extending or retracting of the leg rest, and arresting means which permits rocking of the chassis and seat and back and leg rest with respect to the base when the chair is in upright position or moving into intermediate reclined position, and which precludes rocking as the chair assumes an intermediate position or is in the intermediate or fully reclined positions or positions therebetween.

United States Patent 1 1 [451 July 24, 1973 22 Filed:

[ ROCKER/RECLINER CHAIR [75] Inventor: Frank M. Re, l-lolyoke, Mass.

' [7 3] Assignee: Dual Manufacturing and Engineering, Incorporated,Holyoke,

Mass.

Sept. 8, 1970 211 App]. No.: 70,269

52 us. (:1 297/84, 297/269, 297/271, 297/DIG.7 [51] 1111. C1...A47c1/035 53 Field or Search. 287/84, 85, DIG. 7, a 287/269, 270, 259,271

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS, 3,493,264 2/1970 Re..'297/o1o.7 3,302,969 2/1967 Mizelle 297/n1e.7

3,163,464 12/1964 Martin 297/271 X 3,243,226 3/1966 Katz 297/271 X2,746,519 5/1956 Krikorian 297/DIG. 7

Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Attorney-Kenwood Ross and Chester E.Flavin 1 [57] ABSTRACT,

A rocker/recliner chair inclusive of a rocker base, a chassis rockablyconnected to the base, a bodysupporting unit (i.e. a seat and a back)connected to the chassis, a leg rest, and mechanism interconnecting thebody-supporting unit and leg rest and chassis for coordinated rockingand reclining motions of the bodysupporting unit and extending orretracting of the leg rest,'and arresting means which permits rocking ofthe chassis and seat and backand leg rest with respect to the base whenthe chair is in upright position or moving into intermediate reclinedposition, and which precludes rocking as the chair assumes anintermediate position or is in the intermediate or fully reclinedpositions or positions therebetween.

3,243,225 3/1966 ,Katz.. 297/85 5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures no 10s 4321| 80 26114 2o\'\ 56 /9 8094 1294138 so I 15 Ina/11149128130 i YeaQ27:

Patented July 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. FRANK M. RE BY M w!9014 a ATTORNEYS.

mv' lam Patented July 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORV FRANK M. RE BYEma/001i QOIM m -12 mm; m

U I N t O mumflewm ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR; FRANK ML RE BY (ma/0a!@014 6 m 6' W ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 5; n 12 Mag i: 1% co 2% s 3 8 (Xn 8 an 8-7 8 m INVENTOR. FRANK M. R BY @MMQM W mm ATTORNEYS.

ROCKER/RECLINER CHAIR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is acontinuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 884,187, filedDec. 11, I969.

The invention relates to a three-position chair associated with a rockerstructure to define a rocker/recliner capable of serving selectively asa rocker or as a recliner at the will of the occupant.

Herein, a recliner chassis is uniquely combined and coordinated with therocker mechanismof a platform rocker, wherefore, when in normal uprightposition, a comfortable rocking chair is defined, and when actuatedtoward one of its reclining positions, the natural shift in theoccupants weight is such as to call into operational use arresting meanswherefore rocking is pre eluded as well as anoperating mechanismwherefore the seat is automatically shifted between upright sitting andvarious reclining positions coincident with tilting of the back andextending of the leg rest.

Arresting means are rendered non-operative during rocking movements andare rendered operative so as automatically to lock the chair againstrocking movements as the chair is shifted-into the intermediate reclinedor fully reclined positions. As the body supporting structure so shiftsinto the intermediate reclined position, actuating means move thearresting means into a blcokirig position to-effeetively precluderocking.

The arresting means, in certain embodiments, comprises a pin or rollerwhich is rideable in a slotted plate which rises upwardly from therocker base, the relationshipv between the roller, and the plate and theslot being such as to permit rocking when the chair is upright, but topreclude rocking when the chair is reclined.

In another embodiment, the arresting means comprises a pin-in-slotarrangement which is operable according to movement of the leg rest.When it is not contacted by the leg rest (i.e., when the leg rest isextended), it effectively blocks any rocking movement and when it iscontacted by the leg rest (i.e., when the leg rest is retracted), itpermits rocking movement.

However, I do not wish to'be limited to the specific structures shownand described as the arresting means may comprise in any of theembodiments, a pin or peg or roller or offset or shoe, all within thespirit and scope of the invention.

Thus, herefollowing, when a certain nomenclature is employed, it will beunderstood to encompass all of the variations as indicated above.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a fragmentary view, in side elevation, of a rocker/reclinerchair of the type embodying the invention, the chair being shown inupright, sitting and/or rocking position, with the leg rest retracted,portions of the chair being removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG; 2 is'a fragmentary view, in side elevation, of the chair inintermediate position, with the leg rest extended and the arrestingmeans operative to preclude rocking;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary View, in side elevation, of the chair infully-reclined position, with the leg rest extended and the arrestingmeans operative to preclude rocking;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, in side elevation, of a rocker/reclinerchair embodying'a first modified form of the invention, the chair beingshown in fully-reclined position, with the leg rest extended and thearresting means operative to preclude rocking;

FIG. 5 is a somewhat schematic, fragmentary, part sectional view, inside elevation, of a rocker/recliner chair embodying a second modifiedform of the invention, the chair being shown in upright, sitting and/orrocking position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, the chair being shown in a reclinedposition, with the leg rest extended and the arresting means operativeto preclude rocking;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, in top plan, of the mechanism of FIG. 6,with parts omitted for clarity;

FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic, fragmentary, part sectional view, inside elevation, of a rocker/recliner chair embodying still anothermodified form of the invention, the chair being shown in upright,sitting and/or rocking position; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, with the chair shown in a reclinedposition, with the leg rest extended and the arresting means operativeto preclude rocking.

The chair of the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1

'3 incorporates a seat 10, a back 12, a rockable chassis 114, a two-partfoldaway leg rest generally indicated by 18 and having one of its parts20 disposed flush with the forward edge of the seat in the chair uprightposition, and a rocker base 22 for chassis 14 type.

Whereas a two part leg rest has been shown, a onepart leg rest could beas well employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

At either side of the chair, an arcuate rocker 24 is secured to therespective side wall of rockable chassis l4 and is rockable upon theupper planar surface of the adjacent rail of rocker base 22, each suchrocker being interassociated with the rocker base by a doublecompressionspring mechanism, not shown.

Seat 10 and back 12 are pivotally secured relative to eachother andcooperantly constitute a bodysupporting subassembly having a pivotalrelationship to rockable chassis 14.

The operating mechanism in a recliner normally consists of a pair ofso-called linkage mechanisms operating unisonly, one being operative ateach side of the chair. Alternatively, one such linkage mechanism,operative centrally of the chair, can be employed. In this disclosure,only one such linkage mechanism is described, for purposes of clarity.

A provided linkage mechanism constitutes one of a pair, there being onesuch mechanism at each side of the body-supporting sub-assembly andinwardly of the respective adjacent side of the rockable chassis so asto be concealed from view.

A vertically-disposed mounting bracket 26 extends along thefront-to-rear chair dimension and is stationarily secured to thecoplanar-disposed adjacent side wall of rackable chassis 14.

A seat bracket 28, also extending in a front-to-rear chair direction, isstationarily secured to transverselyextending front and rear stretehers29 and 31 respectively of seat 10, as seen in FIG. 1.

Leg rest 18 is mounted, through the linkage mechanism, relative to theforward end of the seat for movements between a fully-retractedposition, as in FIG. I, and extended positions, as in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In leg rest fully-retracted position, which is also the fully-upright,or rocking position, a major leg rest part 20 is disposed vertically andsubstantially flush with the forwardly-facing front edge of the seat,while a cooperant minor leg rest part 21 pivotally connected thereto at72 is disposed horizontally and extends rearwardly from the lower end ofthe major leg rest part and beneath the seat.

When major leg rest part 20 is elevated, advanced and extended,cooperant minor leg rest part 21 is moved therewith accordingly. Whenthe major part is in fully-extended position, the minor part will havemoved to a position forwardly of and in generally axial alignment withthe major part. When the major part is forced downwardly to any degree,according to pressure exerted by the legs of the occupant, the minorpart is depressed therewith.

Leg rest 18 is suspended relative to seat by a primary actuator link 30and a secondary actuator link 32, the primary actuator link beingpivoted at 34 at its upper end to seat bracket 28 and at 35,at its lowerend to the lower end of a primary drive link 36, and the secondaryactuator link being pivoted at 38 at its upper end to seat bracket 28and at 40 at its lower end to the lower end of a secondary drive link42.

Primary drive link 36 is pivoted at 44 at its upper end to the rear endof a primary propeller link 46, which primary propeller link is pivotedat 48 at its approximate midsection to the approximate midsection ofsecondary drive link 42. The secondary drive link in turn is pivoted .at50 at its upper end to the rearward end of a secondary propeller link52.

Primary propeller link 46 is pivoted at 54 at its forward end to thelower end of a major leg rest drive link 56, which major leg rest drivelink is pivoted at 58 at its approximate midsection to the approximatemidsection of secondary propeller link 52 and at 60 at its upper end ofone end of a major-leg rest support plate 62.

Secondary drive link 42 and major leg rest drive link 56 are providedwith stop surfaces for limiting the range of leg rest retraction andextension. A first stop surface 43 on link 42 contacts a first stopsurface 57 on link 56 to limit the range of leg rest retraction, asshown in FIG. 1. A second stop surface 45 on link 42 contacts a secondstop surface 59 on link 56 to limit the range of leg rest extension, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, a minor leg rest drive link 64 is pivotedat 66 at its lower end to the forward end of secondary propeller link 52and is pivoted at 68 at its upper end to a minor leg rest support plate70, which minor leg rest support plate is pivoted at 72 to major legrest support plate 62.

A connecting link 74 is pivoted at 76 at its upper end to major leg restsupport plate 62 and at 78 at its lower end to minor leg rest drive link64 adjacent the forward end of the latter.

Control means for regulating the ease and manner of leg rest movement isin the form of a primary control link 80 pivoted at 82 adjacent itsapproximate midsection to primary actuator link 30 and to rise bar, (tobe described), and pivoted at 84 at its forward end to the rearward endof a secondary control link 86, which secondary control link is pivotedat 88 at its approximate midsection to the approximate midsection ofsecondary actuator link 32. Secondary control link 86 is pivoted at 44at its forward end to primary drive link 36.

Primary control link 80 is spring-loaded by a tension spring 90 fixed atone end to a pin 92 on the inner free end of the primary control linkand at its opposite end to a pin 94 on scat bracket 28, all ensuringthat the leg rest remains closed so long as the chair is upright or anoccupant is rocking therein.

As seen in FIG. 1, a stop surface 81 on primary control link contacts astop surface 33 on secondary actuator link 32 in the upright position ofthe chair to limit the range of leg rest retraction.

Coordinated movement of the seat and back, coincident with extension ofthe leg rest, is ensured by a rise bar 96 pivoted at 82 at its forwardend to both primary actuator link 30 and control link 80 and pivoted at97 at its rearward end to a plate-like coordinating link 98.

Coordinating link 98 is the focal point or hub for the operativeinterconnections between chassis, leg rest, back, and seat, beingoperatively connected to the chassis through pivotal connection 100 onmounting bracket 26, being operatively connected to the leg rest throughpivotal connection 97, being operatively connected to the back by ashort link 102 which is pivoted at 104 at its lower end to thecoordinating link and is pivoted at 106 at its upper end to an L-shapedback link 108, which back link is fixed as by screws 110 to a side rail112 of the back and is pivoted at 114 to mounting bracket 26, and beingoperatively connected to the seat by a link 116 pivoted at 118 at itslower end to-the coordinating link and having a central slot 120 thereinin which a pin 122 on seat bracket 28 is slideable.

Slotted link 116 precludes reclining of the bodysupporting unit withoutconcomitant leg rest extension and conversely precludes the closing ofthe leg rest without a concomitant return of the seat back.

A connecting link 124 is pivoted on pin 122 at its upper end and at 126at its lower end on rise bar 96 for achieving an operative connectionbetween seat and leg rest.

To raise seat bracket 28 and to move it and seat 10 forwardly so as toclear the chair arms while counterbalancing the back to preclude anyobjectionable falling sensation on the part of the occupant duringreclination, a seat link 128 is pivoted at 130 at its rearward end toseat bracket 28 and is pivoted at 132 at its opposite end to the upperend of a pivot link 134.

The pivot link is pivoted at 136 at its approximate midsection to theapproximate midsection of a seat support link 138 and is pivoted at 140at its lower end to the upper end of a chassis link 142. The chassislink is pivoted at 144 at its lower end to mounting bracket 26.

Seat support link 138 is pivoted at 146 at its rearward end to mountingbracket 26 and is pivoted at 148 at its forward end to the lower end ofa rise bar link 150. The rise bar link is pivoted at 152 at its upperend to rise bar 96.

In the upright or chair-closed position of FIG. 1, for purposes oflimiting the rearward leg rest travel, secondary drive link 42 contactsmajor leg rest drive link 56 and secondary actuator link 32 contactsprimary control link 80.

Additional stop means comprises a stop 154 on coordinating link 98engageable with a lower surface of back link 108 for limiting the degreeof angularization of the back, when the chair is in the fully-reclinedposition.

In the upright and intermediate reclining positions, a stop 199 of seatsupport link 138 rests upon an offset flange 200 on mounting bracket 26,the flange acting as a stop for supporting the seat.

I end.-

A rearward actuating link 190 is pivoted at 192 at its lower end torearward arresting link 182 and is pivoted, as by a pivot pin 194,' atits opposite end to coordinating link 98. The rearward actuating link isthe direct means for effecting movement of the rearward arresting link.

Roller 186 is receivable in and rideable relative to an arcuate,substantially vertically-disposed rearwardlyfacing slot 220 provided ina plate 222 fixed to rocker base 22 as by screws 224 and extendingvertically upwardly therefrom.

The upper reach of slot 220 is of sufficient width to permit horizontal,forward-back movement of roller 186 as the chair is rocked in theupright or FIG. 1 positron.

The lower reach of slot 220, on the other hand, is only sufficientlywide to receive the roller freely but firmly therein, when the'chair isin either of the reclined positions of FIGS. 2 and 3." I

In such reclined positions, the roller is free to ride along a base wall226 of the lower reach of the slot, but the slot is not sufficientlywide to permit vertical travel of the roller, whereby rocking iseffectively precluded.

The slot is'arcuate to permit free travel of the roller as the chair, ismoved between upright and reclined positions and is tapered from top tobottom to permit rocking in only one situation while precluding rockingin all others.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a pivot pin 194 passes freely In addition tostop 154 on coordinating link 98 for limiting the degree ofangularization of the back, the upper end of the rearward arresting link182 constitutes a stop which, when engaged by a curved portion of backlink 108, precludes further angularization of the back.

When the chair is in upright position, as in FIG. 1, the

. arresting means is in a raised position, and disposed in through theupper end of rearward actuating link 190, I

the head of the pivot pin having a U-shaped tension spring 204 loopedtherearound, the ends of the spring being fixed to the actuating link.

The spring-loading of actuating link 190 by spring 204 effects a tensionon rearward arresting link 1182 to pull the rearward arresting link pastdead center in its movement from raised to lowered position.

The spring functions to permit the rearward arresting link 182 tocollapse on rocking rearwardly and to pull it into blocking position onrocking forwardly, thus allowing the leg rest to function while therocking motion yet continues for a single rocking cycle afterreclination is initiated.

A guide pin 208 serves as a stop and extends inwardly from rearwardarresting link 182 and has a flange 210 for spacing the upper end of therearward arresting link from mounting bracket26 to preclude. binding.The side face of the flange 210 rides along on the face of mountingbracket 26 and serves to guide the rearward arresting link in itsmovements between raised or inoperative position and lowered oroperative position.

Additionally, contact of the upper surface of mounting bracket 26 withguide pin 208 limits the motion or angularizationof rearwardarrestinglink 182.

When the chair occupant rocks forwardly, guide pin 208 limits the motionof the rearward arresting link as the latter swings rearwardly, samebeing propelled rearwardly by spring 204.

the upper reach of slot 220 in plate 222, whereby the chassis may berocked at will. However, when the body-supporting unit is moved as theleg rest is being extended, the arresting means moves into contact withbase wall 226 of the slot to preclude rocking.

Since the arresting means is operatively connected to coordinating link98, it swings as the coordinating link rotates when the body-supportingunit is reclined, moving relative to the slot to provide arresting meansto preclude rocking, when the chair is in intermediate or fully-reclinedpositions.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the arresting means is disposed adjacentthe forward end of the chair and is generally indicated by 160. Itincludes a forward arresting link 162 pivoted at 164 at its upper end tomounting bracket 26 and having such as a pin or roller 166 mounted onits lower end.

A forward actuating link 170 is pivoted at 172 at its forward end toforward arresting link 162 and is pivoted at 174 at its opposite end tocoordinating link 98. The forward actuating link 170 is the direct meansfor effecting movement of the forward arresting link.

Roller 166 is receivable in and rideable relative to an arcuate,substantially vertically-disposed forwardlyfacing slot 320 provided in aplate 322 fixed to rocker base 22 as by screws 324 and extendingvertically upwardly therefrom.

The upper reach of slot 320 is of sufficient width to permit horizontal,forward-back movement of roller 166 as the chair is rocked in theupright position.

The lower reach of slot 320, on the other hand, is only sufficientlywide to receive the roller freely but firmlytherein when the chair is ineither of the intermediate reclined position or the fully reclinedposition of FIG. 4.

In such reclined positions, the roller is free to ride along a base wall326 of the lower reach of the slot, but the slot is not sufficientlywide to permit vertical travel of the roller, whereby rocking iseffectively precluded. The slot is arcuate to permit free travel of theroller as the chair is moved between upright and reclined positions andis tapered from top to bottom to permit rocking in only one situationwhile precluding rocking in all others.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 7, the arresting means is generallyindicated by 400 and operates independently of the chair mechanism,being actuated by the major leg rest part 20. I

Herein, the arresting means includes a pair of spaced upright plates 402fixed at their lower ends as by bolts 404 and nuts 406 to a cross brace408 which extends transversely between the rocker base members 22forwardly of the arcuate rockers 24.

Plates 402 are provided at their upper ends with an integral,rearwardly-directed and inclined offset 410 having a slot 412 therein toallow the pin 416 to ride freely therein while rocking.

A push rod 414, which is disposed upwardly of and in spaced substantialparallelism to rocker base members 22, extends in a front-to-rear chairdirection and passes between plates 402.

A pin or roller 416 extends transversely outwardly from each side of thepush rod and is receivable in slots 412 of plates 402.

The push rod is mounted adjacent its rear end for sliding movementrelative to a bracket 418 fixed to a block 420 disposed on the uppersurface of a cross brace 422 which extends between rockers 24.

The push rod is spring-loaded by means of a compression spring 424trapped between an upstanding rear wall 426 of the bracket and a pin 428which extends transversely outwardly from either side of the push rod,the pin being engageable with an abutment 430 at each side of thebracket to limit the range of forward motion of the push rod.

A forward end 432 of the push rod 414 is engageable by the rear surfaceof the major leg rest part as shown in FIG. 5 when the chair is in theupright position with the leg rest retracted.

In this position, the major leg rest part drives the push rod rearwardlyto clear pin 416 from engagement in a locking slot extension 434 of slot412 in plates 402, wherefore pin 416 is free to ride relative to slot412 as the chair is rocked in upright position.

When the chair is reclined and the leg rest extended, the major leg restpart no longer serves a blocking function against push rod 414 whereforethe action of spring 424 pushes the rod forwardly and drives pin 416into engagement with the base of locking slot extension 434 and pin 428into engagement with abutment 430 of bracket 418, to effectivelypreclude rocking while the leg rest is extended.

When the leg rest is retracted, major leg rest part drives the push rodrearwardly to clear pin 416 from its engagement in locking slot 434 andinto slot 412 wherefore rocking once again becomes possible.

It is contemplated that one such arresting means 400 will be utilizedand mounted so that the push rod strikes approximately centrally of therear face of the major leg rest portion.

Of course two such units could be employed, with one being positioned ateach side of the chair.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the arresting means is generallyindicated by 500 and also operates independently of the chair mechanism,being actuated by the major leg rest part 20.

Herein, the arresting means includes a pair of spaced upright plates502, only one of which is shown, fixed at one side edge as by bolts 504and nuts 506 to a cross brace 508 which extends transversely between therocker base members 22 forwardly of the arcuate rockers 24.

Plates 502 are provided with an integral, substantiallyvertically-extending arm 510 having a slot 512 therein.

An upright pivot link 514 is pivoted as at 516 at its approximatemidsection to a bracket 518 fixed to a cross brace 520 which extendsbetween rockers 24.

A push rod 522 is fixed to the upper end of pivot link 514 and extendshorizontally outwardly therefrom in a front-to-rear chair direction.

A pin or roller 524 extends transversely outwardly from each side of thepivot link adjacent its lower end and is receivable in slots 512 ofplates 502, the pin riding freely in the vertical slots to permitrocking while in the chair upright position.

Pivot link 514 is spring-loaded by means of a spring 526 which extendsbetween the pivot link and rocker 24.

A forward end 528 of push rod 522 is engageable by the rear surface ofthe major leg rest part 20 as shown in FIG. 5 when the chair is in theuprighted position with the leg rest retracted.

In this position, the major leg rest part drives the push rod rearwardlycausing pivot link 514 to pivot at 516 to clear pin 524 from engagementin a locking slot extension 530 of slot 512 in plates 502, wherefore pin524 is free to ride relative to slot 512 as the chair is rocked inupright position.

When the chair is reclined and the leg rest extended, the major leg restpart no longer serves a blocking function against forward end 528 ofpush rod 522, therefore the action of spring 526 pulls the lower end ofpivot link 514 rearwardly to drive pin 524 into engagement with the baseof locking slot extension 530, to effectively preclude rocking while theleg rest is extended.

When the leg rest is retracted, major leg rest part 20 drives the pushrod rearwardly to clear pin 524 from its engagement in locking slot 530and into slot 512 wherefore rocking once again becomes possible.

It is contemplated that one such arresting means 500 will be utilizedand mounted so that the push rod strikes approximately centrally of thereat face of the major leg rest portion.

Of course two such units could be employed, with one being positioned ateach side of the chair.

I claim:

1. A rocker recliner chair comprising:

a stationary rocker base,

a chassis rockably mounted on said base,

a body-supporting unit including a back rest and a seat pivotal relativeto the chassis,

means mounting the body-supporting unit for movements relative to thechassis successively between an upright sitting position and anintermediate reclined position and a fully reclined position,

a leg rest movable between a retracted position beneath the seat and anextended position forwardly of the seat,

actuating means connecting the body-supporting unit and chassis and legrest for automatically moving the leg rest responsively to movement ofthe bodysupporting unit,

the actuating means moving the seat forwardly and upwardly as thebody-supporting unit is reclined and the leg rest is extended, and

arresting means operative when the body-supporting unit is reclined andthe leg rest is extended for precluding rocking of the chassis,

the arresting means including a guided member moveable relative to aguiding member,

a link operatively connected to the actuating means and carrying theguided member, and

the guiding member comprising a stationary slotted plate fixed to thechair base.

2. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the guided member is a roller.

3. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein theslotted plate is disposed adjacent the chair rear.

4. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slotis arcuate with its walls converging from top to bottom.

5. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein theslotted plate is disposed adjacent the chair front.

1. A rocker recliner chair comprising: a stationary rocker base, achassis rockably mounted on said base, a body-supporting unit includinga back rest and a seat pivotal relative to the chassis, means mountingthe body-supporting unit for movements relative to the chassissuccessively between an upright sitting position and an intermediatereclined position and a fully reclined position, a leg rest movablebetween a retracted position beneath the seat and an extended positionforwardly of the seat, actuating means connecting the body-supportingunit and chassis and leg rest for automatically moving the leg restresponsively to movement of the body-supporting unit, the actuatingmeans moving the seat forwardly and upwardly as the body-supporting unitis reclined and the leg rest is extended, and arresting means operativewhen the body-supporting unit is reclined and the leg rest is extendedfor precluding rocking of the chassis, the arresting means including aguided member moveable relative to a guiding member, a link operativelyconnected to the actuating means and carrying the guided member, and theguiding member comprising a stationary slotted plate fixed to the chairbase.
 2. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein theguided member is a roller.
 3. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the slotted plate is disposed adjacent the chair rear.4. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slotis arcuate with its walls converging from top to bottom.
 5. In a rockerrecliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slotted plate isdisposed adjacent the chair front.